Want to see the latest in hydroponic farming or learn more about the farm worker lifestyle? This fall, as part of its popular “Farm to Fork” series, the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance (AFA) is offering a bus tour of local farming and food operation facilities in North County.
The North County tour will be held on Sept. 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stops will include Betteravia Farms; the Santa Barbara County Foodbank; Los Adobes de Maria, a farm worker housing unit; and Windset Farms, an organic, hydroponic greenhouse.
People interested in going on the tour must arrive by 7:30 a.m. at the Kmart Shopping Center in Santa Maria, located at 2875 Santa Maria Way. The bus will depart promptly at 8 a.m. Coffee and bagels will be provided, and lunch at Waller Park is included in the registration fee. Participants must travel on the provided tour bus; no extra vehicles will be allowed on the various properties. It’s recommended that people bring water, a warm jacket for the Betteravia cooling facility, and close-toed shoes.
The full-day tour costs $30. For more information or to register, visit aginnovations.org or call 866-0355.
Launched in 2009, the Santa Barbara County AFA is part of a statewide system of agricultural and food-processing alliances. According to a press release, the AFA is dedicated to “promoting the long-term viability of agriculture in Santa Barbara County while addressing environmental and social concerns through a process that values dialogue and collaboration.”
This article appears in Sep 1-8, 2011.